Periodic Extensional Flow Reactor

INV-24009

Background

The ability to precisely control molecular orientation in polymer films is critical for optimizing material properties like strength and flexibility in many industrial applications. However, current manufacturing methods rely on applying extensional flow just once during polymerization, limiting orientation control to polymers at a specific formation stage. This single use of extensional flows restricts the capacity to further manipulate polymer structure after initial formation begins. As a result, it is difficult to achieve highly anisotropic films using traditional techniques, often resulting in suboptimal properties. The narrow polymer and process timing compatibility of existing approaches also significantly limits the range of effectively processable materials. There is a need for techniques that can induce and control orientation at multiple stages of polymer formation and growth to allow finer tuning of structure and access to a broader range of optimized material properties.

Description

Researchers at Northeastern University have developed a new method for producing polymer films with improved orientation of molecules, leading to stronger and more flexible materials. The technology also opens brand new possibilities for the production of 2-dimensional polymers. This method uses a repeated stretching flow, achieved by rotating a curved support, such as a drum, near a fixed obstacle, like a blade. Unlike traditional techniques that apply a single stretch to the polymer, this approach can be applied multiple times to polymers at any stage of their development, from small monomers to large macromolecules. This repeated application allows for a finer control over the orientation of the molecules within the film. The system can be adjusted to work with different amounts of material, making it versatile for various production needs. By addressing the main challenge of existing methods—limited control over molecule orientation after initial formation—this technology offers a significant improvement in the production of polymer films.

Benefits

Enables continuous or repeated improvement of polymer molecular orientation.
Suitable for polymers at various stages of molecular development.
Capable of producing advanced films with enhanced molecular orientation.
Versatile operation as both a closed and open system to fit various production needs.
Provides increased control over material properties for a wide range of applications.

Commercial Applications

Manufacturing of packaging materials necessitating durable, precisely oriented films.
Production of electronic displays, where film uniformity and molecular orientation are critical for enhanced performance.
Battery separators
Replacement of semiconductors in next generation electronics
Water filtration/separation membranes
Fabrication of solar panel films, with orientation contributing to increased durability and efficiency.
Development of advanced composite materials for the aerospace or automotive sectors, requiring customized property specifications.
Biomedical applications, including tissue engineering scaffolds, where accurate polymer alignment is essential for functionality.

Opportunity